Applying the Performance Solution process: Energy Efficiency Case Study

[Music plays and circles reveal the logos for each volume of the National Construction Code, followed by the ABCB Logo. Image changes to a man sitting at a desk alongside a presentation slide reading Applying the Performance Solution Process - Energy efficiency case study]

Voice over: Hello everyone, my name is Evan Logan, senior sustainability consultant at CADDS Group.

And today I will be giving a brief introduction on applying the performance solution process.

With the much needed introduction of more stringent energy provisions, with new technology and products on the market, with the increased update of best practice industry benchmarks we are coming across more diverse and technical solutions for compliance and the increased use of performance solutions.

As part of its efforts to encourage the increased and competent use of performance solutions, the ABCB has produced a number of guidelines and educational materials to support Performance Solutions' use.

More recently, a new provision A2.2(section 4), the process for developing and documenting Performance Solutions has been included into the National Construction Code.

It has been introduced into NCC 2019 Amendment 1, with an implementation date of 1 July 2021.

This instructional video will

• Provide background information on the application of Performance Solutions with respect to energy efficiency
• Outline the methodology for documenting a performance solution in line with A2.2 (section 4)
• And apply it to a case study

[Slide changes to a flowchart of Performance Requirements at the compliance level, leading to performance solution and/or deemed-to-satisfy solution with the heading compliance solution, followed by text reading: (a) compliance with all relevant Performance Requirements; or (b) the solution is at least equivalent to the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Provisions.]

Evan Logan: Firstly some background information on the use of a Performance Solutions to meet Performance Requirements.

Performance Requirements are satisfied by one of the following,

• A Performance Solution
• A Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution or
• A combination of the two.

A Performance Solution our focus for today is achieved by demonstrating—

• compliance with all relevant Performance Requirements; or
• the solution is at least equivalent to the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Provisions.

[slide changes to text reading: JP1 Energy use

A building, including its services, must have features that facilitate the efficient use of energy appropriate to—

a) the function and use of the building; and

b) the level of human comfort required for the building use; and

c) solar radiation being—

I. utilised for heating; and

II. controlled to minimise energy for cooling; and

d) the energy source of the services; and

e) the sealing of the building envelope against air leakage; and f) for a conditioned space, achieving an hourly regulated energy consumption, averaged over the annual hours of operation, of not more than—

I. for a Class 6 building, 80 kJ/m2.hr; and

II. for a Class 5, 7b, 8 or 9a building other than a ward area, or a Class 9b school, 43 kJ/m2.hr; and

III. for all other building classifications, other than a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 building or a Class 4 part of a building, 15 kJ/m2.hr.]

Voice over: When applying this to Section J Energy Efficiency provisions, on your screen you can see an example of applicable Performance Requirements.

[slide changes to a screenshot of JV1 of NCC 2019 Volume 1]

Voice over: These performance requirements can be achieved by either: A Performance Solution using a Verification Method as the Assessment Method as you can see on the screen

[Slide changes to a screenshot of Part J1 of NCC 2019 Volume 1]

Voice over: Or A Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution …

[Slide changes to an image of a complicated flowchart with multiple paths for using performance solutions]

Voice over: Or a combination of the two.

[Slide changes to text reading ASSESSMENT METHODS

a) Evidence of suitability in accordance with Part A5 of the Governing Requirements that shows the use of a material, product, plumbing and drainage product, form of construction, or design meets the relevant Performance Requirements.

b) A Verification Method, including the following: I. The Verification Methods provided in the NCC. II. Other Verification Methods, accepted by the appropriate authority, that show compliance with the relevant Performance Requirements.

c) Expert Judgement.

d) Comparison with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions. ]

Voice over: The Performance Solution must be shown to comply with the relevant Performance Requirements through one or a combination of the following Assessment Methods:

Evidence of suitability in accordance with Part A5 of the Governing Requirements that shows the use of a material, product, plumbing and drainage product, form of construction, or design meets the relevant Performance Requirements.

A Verification Method, including

The Verification Methods provided in the NCC. For example JV3 – Verification using a reference building; or other Verification Methods, accepted by the appropriate authority, that show compliance with the relevant Performance Requirements.

Expert Judgement and Comparison with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions are two other assessment methods.

[Slide changes to text reading PROCESS

1. 1. Prepare a performance-based design brief (PBDB)
2. 2. Carry out analysis
3. 3. Evaluate results
4. 4. Prepare a final report

Next to an image of hands holding a tablet]

Voice over: The process for undertaking a Performance Solution in line with Provision A2.2 (section 4) involves the following steps:

Firstly you want to Prepare a performance-based design brief

This is in consultation with relevant stakeholders and the appropriate approval authority (so it may include architects, service consultant, building certifier, the client, or relevant expert in a specific field (energy & fire).

The brief is to include a minimum of three sections:

• scope of work for the performance-based analysis,
• the technical basis for analysis, and
• the acceptance criteria of the relevant Performance Solution, as agreed by stakeholders.

Once the brief has been prepared, you want to Carry out analysis, as documented in the brief and then Evaluate results against the acceptance criteria in the brief

And finally we want to put this into a final report that includes at least–

• all Performance Requirements and Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions identified in the brief, as applicable; and
• identification of all Assessment Methods used; and
• The details of steps (1) to (3) of the brief as seen on the screen; and
• confirmation that the Performance Requirement has been met; and
• details of conditions or limitations, if any exist, regarding the Performance Solution.

[Slide changes to text reading CASE STUDY – COMMERCIAL BUILDING in front of an image of a city skyline]

Voice over: Let’s now apply this to a case study,

We will be using a use a simple petrol station in South Australia (NCC climate zone 5).

[Slide changes to a heading reading PREPARING THE BRIEF (PBDB)

Followed by a table, left side reading Required Total R-Value

(m2.K/W) - Rt = 2.0

(Clause J1.6, Table J1.6 Floors)

Right side reading Proposed Total R-Value

(m2.K/W)

Rt = 1.4

(Specification J1.6, Table 2b

R-Value of soil in contact with the floor)]

Voice over: The Consultant undertook a Section J review of the design of a proposed petrol station in South Australia in NCC climate zone 5.

An initial Deemed-to-Satisfy assessment has deemed the floor is not compliant with J1.6 Floors.

The required Total R-Value of the floor to comply is 2

The current R-Value when applying Table 2b R-Value of soil in contact with the floor of Specification 1.6 - subfloor thermal performance Is Rt1.4.

So the floors are deemed non-compliant.

The stakeholder group, being the architect, client, services consultants, sustainability consultant and building certifier meet to determine if the uninsulated floor has a significant impact on the heating and/or cooling load of the building compared to other building elements (such as the wall, roof and glazing).

The stakeholder group agrees to undertake a whole building model to test the impact the insulated floor has on the Petrol Station in comparison to other building elements.

The stakeholder group agree that all other Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions can be met.

The group agree on undertaking a thermal comfort analysis to make sure thermal comfort is achieved. A Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) of -1 to +1 is to be achieved across not less than 95% of the floor area of all occupied zones for not less than 98% of the annual hours of operation of the building.

[Slide changes to text reading STEP 1 – THE BRIEF (PBDB) Prepare a performance-based design brief in consultation with relevant stakeholders a. Scope of work Followed by a pie chart with the heading range: Dec to Jan and the figures: conduction gain – ceilings (0.08, 24%), conduction gain – external windows (0.06, 18%), conduction gain –ground/exposed floors (0.05, 15%), Solar gain (0.14, 43%) followed by text reading: The solution is at least equivalent to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions. ]

Voice over: Step 1 – We want to Prepare a performance-based design brief

Which includes a scope of works.

The scope of work proposed by the stakeholder group is to undertake analysis to test whether the heating and cooling loads for the proposed building (with no floor insulation) is less than that of a reference building with Deemed-to-Satisfy compliant walls, ceiling, floors and windows.

It is proposed that a Performance Solution is achieved by demonstrating the solution is at least equivalent to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions. And as such, Comparison with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions is to be used as the Assessment Method.

[slide changes to text reading STEP 1 – THE BRIEF (PBDB)

Prepare a performance-based design brief in consultation with relevant stakeholders

b. Technical basis for analysis

Followed by a table with two columns labelled Model and description, with row 1 reading Reference Building - Building structure as designed, but with DTS walls, ceilings, floors, windows etc.;

All services and operations proposed in the building, to the maximum allowed under DTS

And row 2 reading Proposed Building with DTS Services - Building structure as designed with proposed walls, ceilings, floors, windows etc.;

All services and operations proposed in the building, to the maximum allowed under DTS

Followed by text that reads All other provisions not covered by the modelled solution including J5 to J8 with will be designed to comply through a DTS Solution.

Voice over: We then identify the technical basis for analysis. In this case, the consultant intends to utilise IES VE energy modelling to calculate the annual load of the building, which has been approved for use for this purpose being compliant with ASHARE 140 2007 (BEST TEST).

The modelling software will be used to demonstrate equivalency with Section J1 Building fabric, with added compliance for additional DTS Provisions not covered by a modelled solution, including

• for general thermal construction, compliance with J1.2; and
• The building sealing of the building to comply with J3 All other provisions not covered by the modelled solution including J5 to J8 with will be designed compliant with a DTS Solution.

[slide changes to text that reads STEP 1 – THE BRIEF (PBDB) Prepare a performance-based design brief in consultation with relevant stakeholdersc. The acceptance criteria for the relevant Performance Solution as agreed by stakeholders.

1. 1. A reduced load to demonstrate compliance with Part J1 additional Deemed-to-Satisfy requirements

a. for general thermal construction, J1.2; and

b. insulation, J1.6(b) and J1.6(c); and

1. 2. The building sealing of the building to comply with J3

1. 3. The building services to be designed in accordance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the NCC J5-J8

1. 4. A Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) of -1 to +1 is achieved across not less than 95% of the floor area of all occupied zones for not less than 98% of the annual hours of operation of the building.]

Voice over: We then identify the criteria for acceptance, that is, what needs to be met to demonstrate either:

(a) compliance with all relevant Performance Requirements; or

(b) the solution is at least equivalent to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions.

In this instance, we propose that under A2.2(section 1), the Performance Solution is achieved by demonstrating the Solution is at least equivalent to the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions and the remaining clauses in A2.2.

[slide changes to text that reads STEP 2 - ANALYSIS

Carry out analysis, as proposed by the performance-based design brief (PBDB)

Followed by a table with proposed model of kWh/m2 with heating 19.1, cooling 21.8, fans 21.9, lights 58.6, equip 24.4 and total of 145.7

And reference model of kWh/m2 with heating 22.3, cooling 19.4, fans 21.9, lights 58.6, hquip 24.4 and a total of 146.6

Followed by another table with Predicted mean vote (PMV) (% hours in range for Proposed building, < = -1.00 of 0, > -1.00 to < = 1.00 of 100, and > 1.00 of 0)

Voice over: We then undertake the analysis.

The results of the load analysis undertaken through IES Software being on you screen. Modelling inputs are per Specifications JVb and JVc.

[Slide changes to text reading STEP 3 – EVALUATE RESULTS

Evaluate results from (b) against the acceptance criteria in the performance-based design brief (PBDB)

Followed by the same tables as the previous slide, with a heading of A reduced load to demonstrate compliance with Part J1 above the first table, a heading of A Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) of -1 to +1 is achieved across not less than 95% of the floor area of all occupied zones for not less than 98% of the annual hours of operation of the building above the second table, followed by text reading All other provisions will be designed to be compliant with a Deemed-to-Satisfy Solution.]

Voice over: We then Evaluate results identified in Step 1 (b), the technical basis for analysis, against the Step 1(c) acceptance criteria in the performance-based design brief (PBDB)

The analysis demonstrates the difference in performance between the proposed building load and the Reference Building (ie DTS Fabric), allows for a quantifiable comparison of the building fabric's performance as a whole.

In addition, comfortable levels are achieved throughout the year.

In addition, the following Deemed-to-Satisfy assessment was achieved to reduce limitations in the software.

(a) for general thermal construction, J1.2; and

(c) The building sealing of the building to comply with J3

The building services to be designed in accordance with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the Parts J5-J8.

[slide changes to text that reads STEP 4 – FINAL REPORT Followed by a table that lists DTS Provisions, with J1 having a solution of Performance Solution (d) Comparison with the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions. Compliant being Yes, and a limitation of Reduced R-Value of the floor could impact comfort, PMV model to be undertaken

J3, J4, J5 J6, J7 and J8 have a solution of DTS Solution, the compliant Column all reading Yes and nothing in the limitation column.]

Voice over: We then compile the data and create our report, which should include

• all Performance Requirements and Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions identified as applicable;
• identification of all Assessment Methods used;
• record of details from the brief, relating to steps (a) to (c);
• confirmation that the Performance Requirement has been met; and
• details of conditions or limitations, if any exist, regarding the Performance Solution. Comfort may have been impacted, and the group agree on undertaking a thermal comfort analysis to make sure thermal comfort is achieved.

A Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) of -1 to +1 is to be achieved across not less than 95% of the floor area of all occupied zones for not less than 98% of the annual hours of operation of the building.

[slide changes to text reading SUMMARY

1. Prepare a performance-based design brief (PBDB)
2. Carry out analysis
3. Evaluate results
4. Prepare a final report ]

Voice over: In summary the process for undertaking a Performance Solution in line with Provision A2.2(4) involves the following steps:

One: Prepare a performance-based design brief This is in consultation with relevant stakeholders (architects, service consultant or clients)

And involves the following:

• Scope of work
• the technical basis for analysis and
• the acceptance criteria of a relevant Performance Solution

Two: We want to carry out analysis, as proposed by the brief

Three: We want to evaluate results against the acceptance criteria in the brief And four: we want to prepare a final report.

[slide changes to a screen with the ABCB and NCC logos, with text reading Closing ABCB resources available from: abcb.gov.au with Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube logos in the lower right corner]

Voice over: In closing, further supporting resources, including a guidance document and handbook, are available on the ABCB website, in the Resource Library. Thank you for your time.